MarketAxess Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results

Source: Nasdaq GlobeNewswire / 20 Jul 2022 06:30:56 America/New_York

NEW YORK, July 20, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MarketAxess Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: MKTX) the operator of a leading electronic trading platform for fixed-income securities, and the provider of market data and post-trade services for the global fixed-income markets, today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2022.

Rick McVey, Chairman of the Board and CEO of MarketAxess, commented:

“Record levels of market share in the quarter reflect the strides that we have made over the past year in executing our growth strategy, expanding our geographic diversification and establishing a broader global foundation for growth.

The macro backdrop is now much improved, with credit spreads and credit spread volatility moving back into more historical ranges, driving increased estimated cost savings for clients through Open Trading^®, our unique liquidity pool.

We believe that our strong growth in trading volume, broad-based market share gains, both year-over-year and sequentially, and increasing momentum in new product areas, including U.S. Treasuries and municipal bonds, are driving our improved performance.”

2Q22 Financial and operational highlights*

Record levels of estimated market share driving strong growth in trading volume.
Record composite corporate bond¹ estimated market share of 20.2%, up from 17.8%, reflecting broad-based estimated market share gains across global credit.
Record estimated combined U.S. high-grade and U.S. high-yield market share of 20.9%, up from 19.1% in the prior year.
Record estimated market share across U.S. high-yield, emerging markets, Eurobonds and U.S. Treasuries.
Revenues of $182.2 million, up 3%.
Total expenses of $97.4 million, up 9% on continued investment in the business.
$105.2 million in EBITDA and EBITDA margin of 57.7%, up from 56.3%.
Diluted EPS of $1.78, includes an $0.11 per share benefit from foreign currency transaction gains.
Declared $0.70 per share dividend; repurchased 178,801 shares for a total cost of $48.7 million.
Record 1,935 total active clients, up 5%, reflecting the continued expansion of our global liquidity pool.
Total trading average daily volume (“ADV”) of $35.4 billion, up 43%, driven principally by a 64% increase in U.S. Treasury ADV to $22.7 billion and a 15% increase in total credit ADV to $12.3 billion.
$238 million in estimated transaction cost savings² for clients via Open Trading^®, our differentiated liquidity pool; $439 million in estimated transaction cost savings² year-to-date.
Record $23 billion in portfolio trading volume, up from $4 billion in 2Q21 and $14 billion in 1Q22.

*All comparisons versus second quarter 2021 unless otherwise noted.

Table 1: 2Q22 select financial results
$ in millions, except per share data (unaudited)	Revenues		Operating Income		Operating Margin (%)		Net Income		Diluted EPS		EBITDA		EBITDA Margin (%)
2Q22	$182		$85			47%	$67		$1.78		$105			58%
2Q21	$176		$87			49%	$67		$1.77		$99			56%
2Q22 vs. 2Q21 % Change		3%		(3%)	(291) bps			(1%)		1%		6%	+138 bps

Table 2: 2Q22 trading volume (ADV)
			CREDIT														RATES
$ in millions (unaudited)	Total Volumes		High-Grade		High-Yield		Emerging Markets		Eurobonds		Other Credit Prod.		Total Other Credit		Total Credit		US Govt. Bonds		Agcy./Other Govt. Bonds		Total Rates
2Q22	$35,389		$5,803		$1,771		$2,828		$1,491		$397		$6,487		$12,290		$22,657		$442		$23,099
2Q21	$24,777		$5,143		$1,457		$2,496		$1,463		$105		$5,521		$10,664		$13,850		$263		$14,113
2Q22 vs. 2Q21 % Change		43%		13%		22%		13%		2%		278%		17%		15%		64%		68%		64%

Table 3: 2Q22 Estimated Market Share
	CREDIT												RATES
(unaudited)	High-Grade		High-Yield		High-Grade/High- Yield Combined		Eurobonds		Composite Corporate Bond²		Municipals		US Govt. Bonds
2Q22		22.3%		17.3%		20.9%		15.1%		20.2%		3.9%		3.7%
1Q22		20.7%		15.2%		19.1%		12.2%		18.1%		4.3%		3.6%
2Q21		21.1%		14.3%		19.1%		11.7%		17.8%		2.2%		2.3%
2Q22 vs. 2Q21 BPS Change	+120 bps		+300 bps		+180 bps		+340 bps		+240 bps		+170 bps		+140 bps
2Q22 vs. 1Q22 BPS Change	+160 bps		+210 bps		+180 bps		+290 bps		+210 bps		(40) bps		+10 bps

Overview of results

Revenues

Credit

U.S. high-grade: Commission revenue of $75.1 million (including $23.5 million in fixed-distribution fees) decreased $2.7 million, or 3%, compared to $77.8 million (including $21.4 million in fixed-distribution fees) in the prior year. Higher trading volumes and an increase in estimated market share were more than offset by lower average fees per million (“FPM”). The decline in average FPM for high-grade to $143.35, compared to $174.11 in the second quarter of 2021, was mainly due to the shorter duration of bonds traded (driven by higher bond yields and shorter years-to-maturity). There have been no changes to the U.S. high-grade fee plan.
- Increase of approximately +120 basis points in estimated U.S. high-grade market share, from 21.1% in the prior year period.
Other credit: Commission revenue of $82.3 million (including $8.1 million in fixed-distribution fees) increased $7.4 million, or 10%, compared to $75.0 million (including $7.9 million in fixed-distribution fees) in the prior year. The increase was driven principally by strong estimated market share gains across all other credit products, slighly offset by lower average FPM. The FPM for other credit products was $185.93, compared to $194.49 in the second quarter of 2021. The decline in other credit FPM was due to a larger percentage of trading volume in local market emerging market bonds which have lower fees per million and dealer migration to fixed-distribution fee plans that command lower transaction fees.
- Record U.S. high-yield estimated market share of 17.3%, up from 14.3% in the prior year on ADV of $1.8 billion, representing an increase 22%.
- Record Eurobonds estimated market share of 15.1% on ADV of $1.5 billion, up 2%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, Eurobonds ADV would have increased approximately 13%.
- Record emerging markets estimated market share on ADV of $2.8 billion, up 13%, with estimated market ADV down 10%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, emerging markets ADV would have increased approximately 14%.
- Record municipal bond trading volume and ADV of $23.0 billion and $371 million, respectively, driven in part by an approximate 170-basis point increase in estimated market share.
Total credit: Commission revenue of $157.4 million increased $4.6 million, or 3%. A 15% increase in credit ADV to $12.3 billion, driven by strong estimated market share gains across credit products, was partially offset by lower average FPM. The average FPM for total credit products was $165.75, compared to $184.62 in the second quarter of 2021, reflecting the impact of lower U.S. high-grade average FPM discussed above.
- Record total credit trading volume.
- Record estimated combined U.S. high-grade and U.S. high-yield market share of 20.9%, up from 19.1% in the prior year.
- Record composite corporate bond¹ estimated market share of 20.2%, up from 17.8%.
- 35% of total credit trading volume was executed via Open Trading.
  - $238 million ($439 million year-to-date) in estimated transaction cost savings² for clients delivered via Open Trading, representing $1,030 in average cost savings per million.
- Record 1.6 million total credit trades executed, up from 1.3 million executed in the prior year.
- 92% of credit volume on the platform was executed by institutional clients.

Rates

Total rates commission revenue of $6.1 million increased $2.4 million, or 65%, compared to the prior year, driven by a 64% increase in U.S. Treasury ADV to $22.7 billion on strong estimated market share gains. The average FPM for total rates products was $4.21, compared to $4.07 in the second quarter of 2021.
- Record U.S. Treasury estimated market share of 3.7%, up from 2.3%.

Information services & post-trade services

Combined information and post-trade services revenue of $18.5 million decreased $1.2 million, or 6%, compared to the prior year. The decrease in revenue was principally driven by the impact of currency fluctuations and planned customer attrition in connection with the Regulatory Reporting Hub integration. Adjusting for foreign currency fluctuations, combined information and post-trade services revenue would have increased approximately 3%.

Expenses

Total expenses of $97.4 million increased $8.3 million, or 9%. The increase in expenses was driven principally by higher employee compensation and benefits as a result of the increase in headcount, increased investments to enhance the trading system and data products, as well as higher technology and communication expenses due to higher subscription costs, market data expense and platform licensing fees.

Non-operating

Other income: Other income was $4.8 million, representing a $5.9 million increase from the prior year. The current quarter included a $5.5 million foreign currency transaction gain that benefited earnings per share by $0.11.
Tax rate: The effective tax rate was 25.3%, compared to 21.8% in the prior year. The higher effective tax rate was driven by a $5.7 million decrease in estimated excess tax benefits related to share based compensation awards.

Capital

The Company has $324.8 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments; there are no outstanding borrowings under the Company’s credit facility.
A total of 178,801 shares were repurchased in the quarter at a cost of $48.7 million. A total of $100.0 million remains under the current authorization by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.70 per share, payable on August 17, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 3, 2022.

Other

The Company had a record 1,935 total active client firms and a record 982 active international client firms, representing year-over-year increases of 5% and 6%, respectively.
Employee headcount was 684 as of June 30, 2022, compared to 637 as of June 30, 2021, and 676 as of December 31, 2021. The increase in headcount was due to the continued investment in the Company’s growth initiatives, including geographic expansion, trading automation and new trading protocols.

Guidance for 2022

Based on the progression of operating expenses year-to-date, the Company is re-confirming its full year 2022 expense guidance range of $385.0 million to $415.0 million and capital expenditure guidance range of $58.0 million to $62.0 million. The Company expects the full year effective tax rate to be at the upper-end of the previously stated range of 24.0% to 26.0%.

Other highlights

MarketAxess, Virtu Financial and several leading liquidity providers in the fixed income ETF space, including Citadel Securities, Flow Traders, Jane Street Capital and asset manager BlackRock, announced the formation of a consortium to support the growth of RFQ-hub, a bilateral multi-asset and multi-dealer request for quote platform. RFQ-hub brings asset managers and liquidity providers together to help electronically deliver aggregated and competitive liquidity, streamline workflow and improve pricing with a focus on equity and fixed-income listed and OTC derivatives, structured products and exchange-traded funds.
State Street Global Advisors launched the SPDR MarketAxess Investment Grade 400 Corporate Bond ETF (LQIG). The MKTX 400 Index tracks the performance of 400 U.S. dollar denominated investment grade corporate bonds with higher-than-average liquidity relative to the broader U.S. corporate bond market. Powered by MarketAxess’ proprietary liquidity and pricing data – our Relative Liquidity Score and Composite+™ pricing engine – the Index combines actionable liquidity with broad market exposure.
MarketAxess and MSCI agreed to enter into a strategic collaboration to create innovative portfolio analytics solutions and co-branded fixed-income indexes incorporating MarketAxess’ liquidity data, including Relative Liquidity Score and Tradability. In addition, MarketAxess plans to leverage MSCI’s ESG ratings to identify and create more liquid and sustainable fixed-income portfolios for its global institutional clients.

¹ Composite corporate bond estimated market share is defined as combined estimated market share across U.S. high-grade (derived from FINRA TRACE reported data), U.S. high-yield (derived from FINRA TRACE reported data), emerging markets (derived from FINRA TRACE-reportable emerging markets volume) and Eurobonds (derived from MarketAxess TRAX data which is estimated to represent approximately 75% of the total European market) product areas.

² Estimated liquidity taker cost savings is defined as the difference between the winning price and the best disclosed dealer cover price. Estimated liquidity provider cost savings is defined as the difference between the winning price and then current Composite+ bid or offer level (offer if the provider is buying, bid if provider is selling) at the time of the inquiry.

Non-GAAP financial measures and other items

To supplement the Company’s unaudited financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company uses certain non-GAAP measures of financial performance, including earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), EBITDA margin and free cash flow. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures, when taken into consideration with the corresponding GAAP financial measures, are important in understanding the Company's operating results. See the attached schedule for a reconciliation of GAAP net income to EBITDA and EBITDA margin and GAAP cash flow from operating activities to free cash flow.

Webcast and conference call information

Rick McVey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chris Concannon, President and Chief Operating Officer and Christopher Gerosa, Chief Financial Officer, will host a conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results and outlook on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To access the conference call, please dial 866-374-5140 (U.S.) and use the PIN/ID 68886811# or 404-400-0571 (international) and use the PIN/ID 68886811#. The Company will also host a live audio Webcast of the conference call on the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at http://investor.marketaxess.com. The Webcast will be archived on http://investor.marketaxess.com for 90 days following the announcement.

About MarketAxess

MarketAxess (Nasdaq: MKTX) operates a leading electronic trading platform that delivers greater trading efficiency, a diversified pool of liquidity and significant cost savings to institutional investors and broker-dealers across the global fixed-income markets. Over 1,900 firms leverage MarketAxess’ patented technology to efficiently trade fixed-income securities. MarketAxess’ award-winning Open Trading^® marketplace is widely regarded as the preferred all-to-all trading solution in the global credit markets. Founded in 2000, MarketAxess connects a robust network of market participants through the full trading lifecycle, including automated trading solutions, intelligent data products and a range of post-trade services. Learn more at www.marketaxess.com and on Twitter @MarketAxess.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including statements about the outlook and prospects for Company and industry growth, as well as statements about the Company’s future financial and operating performance. These and other statements that relate to future results and events are based on MarketAxess’ current expectations. The Company’s actual results in future periods may differ materially from those currently expected or desired because of a number of risks and uncertainties, including: global economic, political and market factors; risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the possible effects of the economic conditions worldwide resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic; adverse effects as a result of climate change or other ESG risks that could affect our reputation; the level of trading volume transacted on the MarketAxess platform; the rapidly evolving nature of the electronic financial services industry; the level and intensity of competition in the fixed-income electronic trading industry and the pricing pressures that may result; reputational or credibility risks related to our data products and index business; the variability of our growth rate; our ability to introduce new fee plans and our clients’ response; our ability to attract clients or adapt our technology and marketing strategy to new markets; risks related to our growing international operations; our dependence on our broker-dealer clients; the loss of any of our significant institutional investor clients; our exposure to risks resulting from non-performance by counterparties to transactions executed between our clients in which we act as an intermediary in matched principal trades; risks related to self-clearing; the effect of rapid market or technological changes on us and the users of our technology; our dependence on third-party suppliers for key products and services; our ability to successfully maintain the integrity of our trading platform and our response to system failures, capacity constraints and business interruptions; the occurrence of design defects, errors, failures or delays with our platforms; our vulnerability to cyber security risks; our actual or perceived failure to comply with privacy and data protection laws; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights or technology and defend against intellectual property infringement or other claims; our ability to enter into strategic alliances and to acquire other businesses and successfully integrate them with our business; our dependence on our management team and our ability to attract and retain talent; limitations on our flexibility because we operate in a highly regulated industry; the increasing government regulation of us and our clients; risks related to the U.K.’s exit from the European Union; our exposure to costs and penalties related to our extensive regulation; our risks of litigation and securities laws liability; our future capital needs and our ability to obtain capital when needed; limitations on our operating flexibility contained in our credit agreement; and other factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. More information about these and other factors affecting MarketAxess’ business and prospects is contained in MarketAxess’ periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be accessed at www.marketaxess.com.

Contacts
INVESTOR RELATIONS	MEDIA RELATIONS
Stephen Davidson MarketAxess Holdings Inc. +1 212 813 6313 sdavidson2@marketaxess.com	Marisha Mistry MarketAxess Holdings Inc. +1 917 267 1232 mmistry@marketaxess.com
	William McBride RF \| Binder +1 917 239 6726

Table 4
MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2022			2021			2022			2021
	(In thousands, except per share data)
	(unaudited)

Revenues
Commissions	$	163,463		$	156,431		$	329,576		$	332,269
Information services		9,396			9,844			19,205			19,006
Post-trade services		9,144			9,848			19,056			20,109
Other		226			211			449			414
Total revenues		182,229			176,334			368,286			371,798

Expenses
Employee compensation and benefits		45,435			40,732			93,191			88,820
Depreciation and amortization		15,240			13,097			30,414			24,876
Technology and communications		12,490			10,544			24,682			20,580
Professional and consulting fees		8,920			10,704			18,541			20,344
Occupancy		3,700			3,300			7,087			6,617
Marketing and advertising		2,949			3,128			4,738			4,332
Clearing costs		4,263			4,372			8,838			9,066
General and administrative		4,444			3,280			7,903			6,512
Total expenses		97,441			89,157			195,394			181,147
Operating income		84,788			87,177			172,892			190,651
Other income (expense)
Investment income		254			107			313			214
Interest expense		(337	)		(171	)		(510	)		(362	)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate		191			—			191			—
Other, net		4,682			(1,060	)		7,111			(2,649	)
Total other income (expense)		4,790			(1,124	)		7,105			(2,797	)
Income before income taxes		89,578			86,053			179,997			187,854
Provision for income taxes		22,656			18,765			48,306			40,109
Net income	$	66,922		$	67,288		$	131,691		$	147,745

Per Share Data:
Net income per common share
Basic	$	1.78		$	1.79		$	3.52		$	3.94
Diluted	$	1.78		$	1.77		$	3.49		$	3.87

Cash dividends declared per common share	$	0.70		$	0.66		$	1.40		$	1.32

Weighted-average common shares:
Basic		37,529			37,508			37,456			37,489
Diluted		37,608			38,104			37,716			38,129

Table 5
MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Commission Revenue Details

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2022		2021		2022		2021

	Total Commissions Revenue
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)

Transaction Fees
U.S. high-grade	$	51,576	$	56,413	$	104,454	$	121,769
Other credit ¹		74,226		67,074		150,030		145,973
Total credit		125,802		123,487		254,484		267,742
Rates ²		6,020		3,612		12,211		7,755
Total transaction fees		131,822		127,099		266,695		275,497

Distribution Fees
U.S. high-grade		23,496		21,373		46,522		42,343
Other credit¹		8,096		7,895		16,248		14,299
Total credit		31,592		29,268		62,770		56,642
Rates²		49		64		111		130
Total distribution fees		31,641		29,332		62,881		56,772
Total commissions	$	163,463	$	156,431	$	329,576	$	332,269

	Average Variable Transaction Fee Per Million
	(unaudited)

U.S. high-grade - fixed-rate	$	145.93	$	179.02	$	151.87	$	182.21
U.S. high-grade - floating-rate		48.15		36.40		50.12		41.19
Total U.S. high-grade		143.35		174.11		148.82		177.13
Other credit ¹		185.93		194.49		186.85		198.36
Total credit		165.75		184.62		169.11		188.11

Rates²		4.21		4.07		4.05		3.86

¹ Other credit includes high-yield, emerging markets, Eurobonds and municipal bonds.
² Rates includes U.S. Government bonds, agencies and other government bonds.

Table 6
MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet Data


	As of
	June 30, 2022			December 31, 2021
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)

Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	290,544		$	506,735
Cash segregated under federal regulations		50,276			50,159
Investments, at fair value		34,297			36,078
Accounts receivable, net		87,475			63,881
Receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		617,817			408,346
Goodwill		154,789			154,789
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization		105,607			116,377
Furniture, equipment, leasehold improvements and capitalized software, net		93,255			96,061
Operating lease right-of-use assets		68,602			70,960
Prepaid expenses and other assets		65,048			27,066
Total assets	$	1,567,710		$	1,530,452

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Liabilities
Accrued employee compensation	$	35,685		$	59,719
Payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		375,211			229,325
Income and other tax liabilities		27,660			40,456
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities		42,797			71,218
Operating lease liabilities		85,555			88,425
Total liabilities		566,908			489,143

Stockholders' equity
Common stock		123			123
Additional paid-in capital		325,047			330,262
Treasury stock		(320,252	)		(232,712	)
Retained earnings		1,035,723			956,966
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(39,839	)		(13,330	)
Total stockholders' equity		1,000,802			1,041,309
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	1,567,710		$	1,530,452

Table 7
MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

	Three Months Ended June 30,							Six Months Ended June 30,
	2022				2021				2022			2021

	Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Net income	$	66,922		$		67,288		$	131,691		$	147,745
Add back:
Interest expense		337				171			510			362
Provision for income taxes		22,656				18,765			48,306			40,109
Depreciation and amortization		15,240				13,097			30,414			24,876
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”)	$	105,155		$		99,321		$	210,921		$	213,092

EBITDA margin¹		57.7	%			56.3	%		57.3	%		57.3	%

	Free Cash Flow
	(In thousands)
	(unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities	$	93,637		$		96,726		$	69,907		$	73,567
Exclude: Net change in trading investments		—				11,064			—			5,569
Exclude: Net change in fail-to-deliver/receive from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and customers		(20,376	)			(26,596	)		48,166			66,774
Less: Purchases of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements		(1,285	)			(5,552	)		(2,681	)		(9,809	)
Less: Capitalization of software development costs		(9,136	)			(8,384	)		(18,561	)		(16,459	)
Free cash flow	$	62,840		$		67,258		$	96,831		$	119,642

¹ EBITDA margin is derived by dividing EBITDA by revenue for the applicable period.

Table 8
MarketAxess Holdings Inc. Volume Statistics*


	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2022		2021		2022		2021

	Total Trading Volume
	(In millions)
	(unaudited)

U.S. high-grade - fixed-rate	$	350,296	$	312,858	$	680,854	$	662,673
U.S. high-grade - floating-rate		9,489		11,153		21,024		24,779
Total U.S. high-grade		359,785		324,011		701,878		687,452
Other credit		399,209		344,865		802,927		735,885
Total credit		758,994		668,876		1,504,805		1,423,337

Rates		1,431,595		888,267		3,012,829		2,009,135

	Average Daily Volume
	(In millions)
	(unaudited)
U.S. high-grade	$	5,803	$	5,143	$	5,660	$	5,544
Other credit		6,487		5,521		6,487		5,935
Total credit		12,290		10,664		12,147		11,479

Rates		23,099		14,113		24,297		16,203

Number of U.S. Trading Days¹		62		63		124		124
Number of U.K. Trading Days²		60		61		123		124



¹ The number of U.S. trading days is based on the SIFMA holiday recommendation calendar.
² The number of U.K. trading days is based on the U.K. Bank holiday schedule.

*Consistent with FINRA TRACE reporting standards, both sides of trades are included in the Company's reported volumes when the Company executes trades on a matched principal basis between two counterparties. Consistent with industry standards, U.S. Government Bond trades are single-counted.

MarketAxess Reports Second Quarter 2022 Results

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